Leaks through TV Antenna?

[TBRich]

(I originally posted this whole thing in my introdution post for new members before I learned that there are sub-forums, so please forgive me!)

Hi All...TBRich here...you can call me TB or Terry. New to this forum and a relatively new Airstream owner. We have a 2006 19' Safari Bambi SE LS (the one with the aluminum skin inside rather than cloth) purhased in March 07. We are in Tucson, AZ, and in the midst of our annual rainy season (called "monsoons" here). We love the Bambi, and have had only a few cosmetic issues, but now we find that when it rains heavily, we have a leak with water coming in through the crank-up TV antenna mechanism... about 1/4 cup's worth after a good rain drips from the crank. Also our GFCI is tripped regularly during the rain or even when being washed ...whether this is a related problem or not, I don't know. (Re the latter, I have tightened the exterior electrical outlet face plate and cover, which has a rubber gasket underneath it, but the problem persists.) I don't know if the two problems are related, but I am concerned about water getting between the outter skin and the inner skin. Any suggestions or is anyone else having this issue? I have an appointment with the local Airstrem dealer to "water-test" the unit and try to determine the source of the leak...but any info will help.

One more thing...on the interior aluminum skin, we've had a few pop-rivets pop off completely...the shafts are still there and can be see through the hole in the skin, but the flattened part has popped off. Has anyone else had this problem? Our dealer didn't seem too concerned and said he can simply replace those rivets and the problem wil be solved.

Thanks!

[dwightdi]

Do a polarity test and a ground test on your unit and the outlet it is plugged into. The GFI is telling you that you have an electrical leak to ground. Check the reistance from the neutral wire in the trailer to ground. It should be open. Check it in the plug on the house. It should be a dead short.

[mello mike]

Fortunately, your rig is still under warranty and you're in Tucson where one of the better Airstream Service Centers, Oasis RV, is located. Give them a call and ask for Jay, the Service Manager.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by TBRich

One more thing...on the interior aluminum skin, we've had a few pop-rivets pop off completelyThanks!

It's been half whipped to death here but you might want to search for
'running gear balance'. You might be suffereing from an out of balance condition on your running gear

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by TBRich

...We love the Bambi, and have had only a few cosmetic issues, but now we find that when it rains heavily, we have a leak with water coming in through the crank-up TV antenna mechanism... about 1/4 cup's worth after a good rain drips from the crank...

Did you ever discover the source of your antenna leak? I am having similar behavior with my old Braund. It needs the gears replaced, so it would be a good time to address this as well.

[overlander63]

We had the experience with our Sovereign, the aluminum skin under the antenna base had corroded away, and water was leaking between the base and the corrosion holes.

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by overlander63

We had the experience with our Sovereign, the aluminum skin under the antenna base had corroded away, and water was leaking between the base and the corrosion holes.

Thanks Terry,

I saw your similar comments on another thread later. Is there some seal around the shaft that I should be aware of. When I bought new gears, I also got a new cover and washer. Any other suggestions for advance preparedness? Did you put a patch on and what was your method?

How is the adventure going? Has the weather been good to you? We were luck here in Arkansas, but the extended rain reminded me of the 2 leaks that only occur if it rains for days.

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

Did you ever discover the source of your antenna leak? I am having similar behavior with my old Braund. It needs the gears replaced, so it would be a good time to address this as well.

Hey Vaughan...first pass at this the dealer thought the leak was coming directly through the antenna form the exterior but then it still leaked aftward...2nd time around they discovered a non-sealed screw hole underneath the solar panel...the water was coming in there and running the course of least resistance between the skins to the antenna area on the inside...then dripping through the interior skin... Since fixing we have had no leaks! Yea!

TB

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by TBRich

Hey Vaughan...first pass at this the dealer thought the leak was coming directly through the antenna form the exterior but then it still leaked aftward...2nd time around they discovered a non-sealed screw hole underneath the solar panel...the water was coming in there and running the course of least resistance between the skins to the antenna area on the inside...then dripping through the interior skin... Since fixing we have had no leaks! Yea!

TB

Congratulations!

Those pesky unsealed holes will do it every time. The PO had installed a vent cover on mine, complete with lots of silicone. When I checked, there was a screw hole with no screw in it, just an empty hole. No silicone there, though.